Euphorbia prostrata aka Green Creeping Spurge

Euphorbia prostrata, or prostrate spurge, belongs to the spurge family. This annual herb grows close to the ground. Its native range spans central and southern North America and tropical America. It also occurs in the Caribbean and subtropical South America. People have introduced it to Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It grows in disturbed ground, fields, gardens, and roadside strips. It also takes hold in lawns and pavement cracks.

Plants reach about 0.33 feet [0.10 metres] tall. Their spread can reach 1 foot [0.30 metres]. Slender stems lie flat or rise slightly at their tips. They branch often and form round mats. Red or purple tones mark the stems. Curled white hairs cover them in varying amounts. Small leaves grow in opposite pairs along the stems. Each blade is oval or oblong, with fine teeth. Leaves range from green to purple and may have reddish edges. Broken leaves and stems release a milky sap.

Tiny white or pink flowers form small, rounded clusters. White structures that look like petals surround the true flowers. In North Carolina, flowering runs from June to September. Plants die when frost arrives. With enough water, plants can flower and fruit year-round elsewhere. They can produce flowers and fruit within 12–14 weeks of sprouting. The green to pink fruit is a small, hairy capsule. It has three sections, each holding one seed. Capsules hang down at first, then stand upright as they ripen. The pale brown seeds have pits and crosswise ridges.

This spurge prefers full sun but also grows in partial shade. It suits dry sand or gravel and tolerates heat. It grows in acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. NC State lists it for USDA zones 5a–11a. That range does not mean plants survive winter frost. Its chief garden impact is as a fast-spreading weed. Many seeds sprout quickly, with little or no dormant period. Dense flushes of seedlings can trouble crops and garden beds. Removing young plants helps limit further seed production. NC State reports no serious insect or disease problems.

Useful Tropical Plants lists no known edible uses. Traditional healers in Africa use all parts of the plant. In India, people use extracts to treat hemorrhoids. These uses do not establish that home treatment is safe. The sap can cause skin rashes and blisters. Eye contact can damage the cornea and may harm sight permanently. Eating plant parts can blister the lips and mouth. Keep it away from children and pets.